Tighten Up Your Words (Proverbs 25:11)

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.”—Proverbs 25:11

A multiplicity of words isn’t always necessary to get a point across. When I write, I want to get my point across, of course. But I don’t want to make any of my writings longer than necessary. And when I deliver a lecture or sermon, I follow the same rule. Like anyone else, I sometimes ramble on. It’s okay sometimes. But nobody wants to hear a bunch of useless talk all the time.

Negativity often comes through uncontrolled words. When we get angry during an argument, we tend to say many hurtful words. And while a—I’m sorry—can be offered, the hurt caused is not so easily overcome. The same applies to a lecture or speech. If we talk too long, people may get so bored or lost, that they miss our central message. The best way to be more precise with our words is to think first. Think about the central message of the speech, talk, book, article, or even conversation. Tighten up your words.